Getting Twins on a Schedule

Having two can be double the fun — and double the trouble. Establishing a routine to contain the chaos can help. Here's how to get started.

Alison Winterroth/Stocksy

Between feedings, burpings, diaper changes and naps, a newborn's needs leave little time for much else. Add in a second little one and life can be, well, pretty chaotic. Most experts agree that the best way to take care of multiples is to get them on the same schedule. But syncing up two babies is easier said than done. After all, your tiny bundles both have minds of their own. Take a deep breath and be patient: The first four months with twins are the most challenging. Once you work out the logistics, you'll find yourself falling into a more manageable routine. These tips can help.

Double Up on Feeding Times

During the early weeks, your babies' feeding schedules will be based on demand, not timed intervals. Newborns are eating machines. On-demand feedings will allow your little ones to eat when hungry and will also ensure your milk supply keeps pace with their growing appetites.

For breastfeeding moms, you may want to start with one baby at a time to make certain that each is latching on correctly. Once all three of you have the hang of it (yes, mom, that includes you, too), try nursing two babies at once. The football hold, where you support baby's head and neck with your arm and his feet are behind you, is a good nursing position for breastfeeding two babies at once. You can also use a twin nursing pillow to help prop them up.

Alternate the breast each baby gets at every feeding to avoid creating favorites and mismatched breasts should one baby turn out to be a more enthusiastic suckler than the other or should one breast be less of a provider than the other.

If you find it too tricky to breastfeed your twins together, you can snuggle with one baby at a time. You can also nurse one while you bottle-feed the other (just be sure you alternate from feeding to feeding). Or you can exclusively pump breast milk. Formula-feeding is also an option, but remember it will stretch your budget times two (with two babies, formula can cost a couple of small fortunes). The right answer is what works for you.

In time, those round-the-clock feedings will become a thing of the sleep-deprived past. Once your milk supply is well-established — usually around three weeks — you can start thinking about stretching the time between feedings and getting your twins on the same timed schedule. Your practitioner can help you decide when they're ready for the transition.

Coordinate Sleepy Times

Just as you're doubling up on feedings, try to burp, change diapers and put your babies down for nap time and bedtime at the same time.

If your twins were born prematurely, they may be sleeping more overall, but for shorter periods, during the first few weeks. As long as they're eating every four hours, let them safely catch their z's. But after a while, it will seem like there's always a baby awake (which can be doubly exhausting for both you and your partner). That why it's best to settle them into a similar schedule.

Put them down for daytime naps at the same time, even if takes one twin some extra soothing (with back rubs and lullabies) to fall asleep.

When it comes to nighttime, create a consistent bedtime routine to help your little ones sleep. Bedtime routines are important for all babies, but especially so for twins. If one baby isn't ready to rest, his protests could keep the drowsier sibling up. At an early age, daily baths aren't necessary, so bathe babies on alternate nights. Follow a soothing bath with a gentle infant massage, a cuddly feeding, reading or humming a lullaby. Try sleep props such as sleep sacks, noise machines, blackout curtains or pacifiers to help get them to relax. Whatever you choose to do, be consistent and, in time, your adorable duo will begin to equate those things with drifting off to dreamland.

If One Baby Wakes Up, Wake Up the Other Baby, Too

Getting the rest you need can seem challenging for the first few months, but it will be more so if your babies are waking up during different times of the night. Instead, when one baby wakes up for a nighttime feeding, wake up the other baby and feed her as well. Even if she's snoozing peacefully, this can be a huge help. This way the other twin won't wake up 30 minutes later in need of nourishment.

Keep a Daily Record

When you're in the thick of it, life with a pair of newborns can seem like it's moving along very slowly. But in reality it's progressing quickly. Before you know it, your little ones will already be infants trying out new life skills. To help you keep track of those first few busy weeks, keep a record. You can do this in a simple spiral notebook or you can download a twin schedule tracker app on your smartphone. Either way, you're going to want to take note of essential moments in the day — feedings, diaper changes, naps, medications given and other important information such as questions you might have for your next well-baby visit that are so easy to forget for the sleep-deprived parent. Tracking progress can be essential to figuring out what schedule is shaping up naturally and, once you've begun sticking to a schedule, what the reasons might be when it's off. Your notes can also help caretakers adopt your twins' schedule without missing a beat.

Accept All the Help You Can

Having twins is an incredible experience, but it can be a demanding time for new moms. If there are two parents, make an effort to split up the work. One parent can be keeping an eye on the twins' schedule, while the other parent can be resting or taking care of the household chores. Just be sure that you alternate so that both of you get to bond with the babies.

It can also be a godsend to get the parenting tips you need from other moms of multiples. Private groups on Facebook are a good place to start as are national organizations like Multiples of America, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of multiple birth children. Or try to connect with moms through local groups or clubs.

Give Yourself a Break

Getting twins on a schedule doesn't happen overnight. Balancing two babies is thrilling, but it also comes with a few bumps in the road. Just when you think you've got everything down, a disruption (a baby cold, a missed nap, holiday travel) will come along and throw it off. Also, you might be running on fumes for the first few months. Just do the best you can to stick to a routine and try to nourish yourself in the meantime. When both babies go down for a nap, don't worry so much about doing the dishes, folding laundry or catching up on other housework. Instead, use the time to relax and maybe even get some much needed shut-eye.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the First Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.